Key discussions in Porto

The UEFA Executive Committee has begun its first meeting of the year in Porto. Key items on the agenda for the two-day meeting include the UEFA Champions League marketing agency contract and the creation of unified transfer windows across Europe.

Agency contract
UEFA's executive body is likely to decide on the new Champions League marketing agency contract for the 2003/04 to 2005/06 seasons. Two bidders, IMG/TWI and Team Marketing AG, have been shortlisted for the contract for European club football's most prestigious competition.

Tender procedure
The decision to put the Champions League agency contract on the market and launch a tender procedure was taken by the Executive Committee last May, and UEFA has given formal written notice to current partners Team Marketing AG that the existing agency contract will be terminated as of 30 June 2003.

Transfer windows
The Executive Committee is also being asked to approve an agreement on harmonised pan-European transfer periods reached by the major European leagues at a meeting of UEFA's Professional Football Committee in December.

Summer and winter periods
The agreement provides for the introduction of two transfer periods from the end of the present season. The two periods would be in the summer - from the end of the domestic season to 31 August - and the winter - from 1 to 31 January. For countries with seasons which run according to the calendar year, the summer period would start on 1 July and end on 31 August, with the winter period following from 15 December to 31 January.

EURO 2004™ status report
This week's meeting is taking place in Portugal to coincide with the EURO 2004™ qualifying competition draw at Europarque in Santa Maria da Feira, Porto on Friday. The committee will hear a status report on preparations for the EURO 2004™ final round in Portugal.

Congress agenda
Approval of the draft agenda and provisional programme for the XXVI Ordinary Congress in Stockholm on 25 April this year is also on the agenda, together with discussions on UEFA's planned club licensing system and European Union matters.